Blog: The First Judge in San Mateo County

The San Mateo County court system began to take shape in the late 1850s. It was no simple task. Why? Some unsavory gents in various locales within San Mateo County had wreaked havoc on the election processes. Henceforth, multiple attempts to establish Redwood City as the county seat dragged on for years.  

Among the many ballots, it was agreed that one individual had been properly elected to his position: Benjamin Fox. Thus, he became the very first judge in San Mateo County.

His initial case was held in the newly constructed first courthouse in San Mateo County. The Gristmill Courthouse, as it was first known, was built on the same spot where today's San Mateo County History Museum sits, which is actually the third County Courthouse building. (The building was rebuilt after being mostly destroyed in the '06 earthquake.)

The litigants in the case were Ackerson vs. Mulligan. It was one of many fraud cases centered around the legitimacy of establishing the county seat. Mulligan was a scoundrel who was eventually killed in San Francisco by the police in the St. Francis Hotel.

There was broad interest in the case Judge Fox presided over. Unconfirmed reports circulated if the verdict didn't turn out as some unsavory folks wanted, his life might be in danger.

After the case concluded, more litigation took place and several years elapsed. Ultimately, the California Supreme Court ruled against the challenges and Redwood City was finally firmly established as the county seat of San Mateo County County.

Judge Fox withdrew from the bench after serving but a single term as the first County Judge. No official reason is known; however, one can draw their own conclusions. Fox's legacy includes being referred to as the "Father of San Mateo County" by some. (The Fox Theater is not named after him.)

Given the rambunctious nature of things in those days, with gunfights being relatively routine, which helped define such times as the "wild west," it would appear Fox truly deserves his place in history.

Everything else is just history

Some of the photos used in this blog are courtesy of the Local History Room, Redwood City's best-kept secret. The Local History Collection covers all aspects of Redwood City's development, from the 1850s to the present day, with particular emphasis on businesses, public schools, civic organizations, city agencies, and early family histories. The Local History Room is not affiliated with the Redwood City Public Library, but it is inside it.